‘Survivor: NFL?’ (1 Viewer)

[SuperJohn96]

‘Survivor: NFL?’ Reality TV offers spot on Cowboys

By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP)—The first time Michael Irvin watched “American Idol,” he loved the concept of giving undiscovered singers the chance to become stars. Now Irvin is doing the same for NFL wannabes.

The Hall of Fame receiver is launching a reality TV show in which 12 “football neophytes” will compete for an impressive grand prize: a spot on the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp roster.

“I don’t know if you can walk upon any group of guys that wouldn’t say they dreamed of playing in the NFL when they were playing in their front yard,” Irvin told The Associated Press on Thursday. “So we’re going to take a group of guys from their front yard, dwindle them to one and give that guy the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The Cowboys confirmed that one of their 80 roster spots will go to the show’s winner. The NFL did not immediately return a call.

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The show, which doesn’t yet have a title, will air this spring on Spike. It is being produced by the same company that’s behind “The Biggest Loser” and many other reality TV hits.

Contestants are still being selected. They likely will need a football background—just not too much. They also must be the right age, size and condition to handle an NFL training camp. The Cowboys open camp in late July in San Antonio.

“We want someone who will have a real opportunity to make the team,” Irvin said. He also indicated the better the back story, the better an applicant’s chance of making the show.

“You could’ve played college ball and had to give up for some reason,” he said. “You know how many stories are out there of players who for some reason or another had to walk away from the game. … We want to find those guys.”

Irvin will be the host and he expects to have guest appearances from friends like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Judges will include Jones and former players and coaches.

The show will pit six receivers and six defensive backs. As for how they will compete, all Irvin would say is, “Tune in and watch. It’ll be groundbreaking in so many ways.”

The winner’s biggest payoff will be the fulfillment of playing for the Cowboys. While the rookie minimum is about $300,000, that’s only if he makes the team. The salary in training camp is closer to $1,000 a week for an undrafted rookie.

Irvin said this is about far more than money. It’s the chance to catch passes from Tony Romo or to line up opposite Terrell Owens.

“What young man do you know that’s not going to read (about this show), then head straight to the gym and say, ‘I’m going to get ready,’?” Irvin said. “That’s how this will inspire people.”

Considering the Cowboys are coming off a disappointing season filled with all sorts of turmoil, adding a player more likely to be profiled in “People” than “Sports Illustrated” seems risky. It could be perceived as just another sideshow, like the cameras from HBO’s “Hard Knocks” that tracked the team in training camp last year.

Yet Irvin, who hosts a local radio show that spends a lot of time analyzing the Cowboys, dismissed that notion.

“I don’t see how you can make this a negative for the Dallas Cowboys,” he said. “We all talk of doing good things for the community, for people, giving people opportunities. Jerry has stepped up and said, ‘OK, let’s do it.”’

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[Whiplash Inc.]

So you're basically competing for a chance to be one of 27 players that will get cut before the regular season starts....Cool.

 

[Mikey16x]

lol this is getting stupid. I WANT DANNY AMONDOLA!

Edit: On the show, not sexually hahhaha

 

[tombonneau]

Funny, I heard Parcells was considering the same thing in Miami.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Well at least the Cowboys are starting to take things a little more seriously after another disappointing season.

 

[Fiddles]

lol this is getting stupid. I WANT DANNY AMONDOLA!Edit: On the show, not sexually hahhaha

hes on the eagles practice squad nowi also just saw last week that the dolphins have todd lowber on their practice squad

 

[dotman]

Finally some reality TV worth watching

 

[Bankerguy]

Just what the Cowboys need......

 

[mozzy84]

Well at least the Cowboys are starting to take things a little more seriously after another disappointing season.

my first thought also, terrible idea.

 

[Osaurus]

Is that How Drew Henson got on the Cowboys roster?

 

[Mustang Man]

Just what the Cowboys need......

this can't be good we need less media and this only adds fuel to their fire.

 

[coolnerd]

Just what the Cowboys need......

this can't be good we need less media and this only adds fuel to their fire.

Until you get an owner who wants the most high profile football organization less than a winning football team, the Cowboys are going to continue to be overtalked about and under achievers.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

 

[Mustang Man]

Just what the Cowboys need......

this can't be good we need less media and this only adds fuel to their fire.

Until you get an owner who wants the most high profile football organization less than a winning football team, the Cowboys are going to continue to be overtalked about and under achievers.

That statement may be true but guess what they were the most high profile football organization before JJ NOW and will be after JJ. In principle JJ is a great owner goes after the best talent and is not scared to fail. Where he has f'd up is he is an ego maniac that wants and needs to be the man in every front. If he could change that there would not be a better owner. That is a big if but never say never. Everything happens for a reason and this blowing up in his face might send him in the right direction, he is not a stupid business man. Time will tell.

 

[TC]

With GM Jerry Jones 's history of signing low-cost kickers, he could possibly add one here. I can't imagine a non-professional lineman or defensive back having a shot at the final roster.

 

[CrossEyed]

America's Team.

As long as it's measured by television exposure and not wins.

 

[BigJim®]

Someone's gonna get killed, have a McGahee injury on national TV, or whatnot. For sure.

 

[coolnerd]

Just what the Cowboys need......

this can't be good we need less media and this only adds fuel to their fire.

Until you get an owner who wants the most high profile football organization less than a winning football team, the Cowboys are going to continue to be overtalked about and under achievers.

That statement may be true but guess what they were the most high profile football organization before JJ NOW and will be after JJ. In principle JJ is a great owner goes after the best talent and is not scared to fail. Where he has f'd up is he is an ego maniac that wants and needs to be the man in every front. If he could change that there would not be a better owner. That is a big if but never say never. Everything happens for a reason and this blowing up in his face might send him in the right direction, he is not a stupid business man. Time will tell.

but the difference is that the high profile was based more on a largely consistent, quality on the field product than one constantly engaged in publicity bits and soap operas. As businessman if anything Jones understands marketing etc too well and places too much on things that a tangible and measurable versus organizational leadership, character, and team unity.

 

[TheDirtyWord]

The Dallas Cowboys: Taking 'get your popcorn ready' to a new level

 

[Mustang Man]

Just what the Cowboys need......

this can't be good we need less media and this only adds fuel to their fire.

Until you get an owner who wants the most high profile football organization less than a winning football team, the Cowboys are going to continue to be overtalked about and under achievers.

That statement may be true but guess what they were the most high profile football organization before JJ NOW and will be after JJ. In principle JJ is a great owner goes after the best talent and is not scared to fail. Where he has f'd up is he is an ego maniac that wants and needs to be the man in every front. If he could change that there would not be a better owner. That is a big if but never say never. Everything happens for a reason and this blowing up in his face might send him in the right direction, he is not a stupid business man. Time will tell.

but the difference is that the high profile was based more on a largely consistent, quality on the field product than one constantly engaged in publicity bits and soap operas. As businessman if anything Jones understands marketing etc too well and places too much on things that a tangible and measurable versus organizational leadership, character, and team unity.

You are correct in what you say but also as a successful business man once he see's his franchise losing ground on winning a championship and understands the problem which is leadership he will make a change.That is what successful business people do.Dallas will be back, so everyone just keep talking smack it is all good and we deserve it but we will be back. That is what I love is that as a franchise Dallas will do whatever they have to get back to the top. The way they tried did not work it worked to a degree 13-3 but not all the way. They hopefully learned from that and now will try like hell to get back in another direction. It is what winning franchises do. JJ is not scared to fail and once he does he goes on to the next idea. It may not be the right idea next but he will go at all cost to find the right one and there is more then one right answer or way to a championship. That is so much more then 80% of the other franchise owners are willing to do. All he needs to do is get the right coach in there and everyone knows it, that is one right answer. If he comes around and does that there is no telling what this franchise will do once again.

 

[Adebisi]

Say what you want about the Cowboys or Jerry Jones, but there are quite a few teams who'd switch places with them in a heartbeat. In fact, prior to just a couple months ago, one of those teams is playing in the Super Bowl next week.

 

[coolnerd]

Just what the Cowboys need......

this can't be good we need less media and this only adds fuel to their fire.

Until you get an owner who wants the most high profile football organization less than a winning football team, the Cowboys are going to continue to be overtalked about and under achievers.

That statement may be true but guess what they were the most high profile football organization before JJ NOW and will be after JJ. In principle JJ is a great owner goes after the best talent and is not scared to fail. Where he has f'd up is he is an ego maniac that wants and needs to be the man in every front. If he could change that there would not be a better owner. That is a big if but never say never. Everything happens for a reason and this blowing up in his face might send him in the right direction, he is not a stupid business man. Time will tell.

but the difference is that the high profile was based more on a largely consistent, quality on the field product than one constantly engaged in publicity bits and soap operas. As businessman if anything Jones understands marketing etc too well and places too much on things that a tangible and measurable versus organizational leadership, character, and team unity.

You are correct in what you say but also as a successful business man once he see's his franchise losing ground on winning a championship and understands the problem which is leadership he will make a change.That is what successful business people do.Dallas will be back, so everyone just keep talking smack it is all good and we deserve it but we will be back. That is what I love is that as a franchise Dallas will do whatever they have to get back to the top. The way they tried did not work it worked to a degree 13-3 but not all the way. They hopefully learned from that and now will try like hell to get back in another direction. It is what winning franchises do. JJ is not scared to fail and once he does he goes on to the next idea. It may not be the right idea next but he will go at all cost to find the right one and there is more then one right answer or way to a championship. That is so much more then 80% of the other franchise owners are willing to do. All he needs to do is get the right coach in there and everyone knows it, that is one right answer. If he comes around and does that there is no telling what this franchise will do once again.

Just the fact you really think that Jones will wake-up and get as football general manager shows how good a marketer Jones is. Since the last Superbowl appearance after the 1995 season the Cowboys have been a largely mediocore franchise with more double digit losing seasons (5 since 96) than winning double digit seasons (4 since 96), and 1 playoff win (96). Not sure how many GMs could keep their job with that track record. The 13-3 season is the outllier as on the field a ho-hum franchise like Jacksonville has been better. The fact the Cowboys manage to be the most talked franchise in the NFL and considered a standard bearer is pure genius on Jerry's part.

 

[chook]

We did this when I was working for Fulham over in the English Premier League. The kid was absolute pants and never made the grade. Good TV though.

 

[Bankerguy]

Is that How Drew Henson got on the Cowboys roster?

LOL , nope our ####### GM traded a second or third rounder.

 

[SuperJohn96]

We did this when I was working for Fulham over in the English Premier League. The kid was absolute pants and never made the grade. Good TV though.

I'm so using this sometime...

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Too bad the name "Biggest Loser" is already taken.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Too bad the name "Biggest Loser" is already taken.

How about "Crashing and Burning with the Stars"

 

[Mustang Man]

Is that How Drew Henson got on the Cowboys roster?

LOL , nope our ####### GM traded a second or third rounder.

That would be a 3rd rounder in 2004.